WRAP, the organisation that promotes the use of resources sustainably, has unveiled its plan for the next five years.

The charity, which works with the UK government and other funders to help deliver their policies on waste prevention and resource efficiency, aims to create a revolution in the way that we use resources.

‘Resource Revolution: Creating the Future’ sets out how WRAP will work with businesses, governments and consumers to create the step change needed to meet the demands of the future generations. WRAP says increased pressure on the world’s natural resources brought about by rising populations means a step change is required in the way we produce and consume products and services.

WRAP’s five year plan challenges the business as usual approach to consumption and encourages people to adopt the three ‘R’s of the future. This will mean:

Re-inventing how we design, produce and sell products;

Re-thinking how we use and consume products;

Re-defining what is possible through re-use and recycling.

WRAP says it will be working in three priority areas where it can make the biggest impact - food and drink; clothing and textiles; and electricals and electronics, all of which are underpinned by resource management.

These areas need to be tackled, as together, the collective impacts of these areas account for:

25% of the UK’s carbon footprint;

80% of the UK’s water footprint; and,

40% of UK household waste.

WRAP has a track record of identifying areas of waste and delivering actions to reduce and prevent it. This is done through developing the evidence and business case for change, delivering industry-leading voluntary agreements, running effective consumer campaigns and measuring impact to improve targeted action.

WRAP’s five year plan sets out the next step change needed to be undertaken in each of the three priority areas to reduce the impact on the environment and to improve business efficiency. WRAP CEO Dr Liz Goodwin OBE said: “We have a clear five year plan, of where and why we need to take action to create a sustainable future. There is still much to do. WRAP will continue to operate in the way it always has – starting from the evidence and then working in collaboration, at the interface between business, governments and consumers to help facilitate and catalyse the change we require to bring about the resource revolution.”

WRAP has set out a number of goals for the Food and Drink sector. The 2020 goals are to:

help people eat well and waste less

encourage food businesses to reduce resource risks and the impact of food and drink products across their lifecycle

increase the amount of perfectly edible food for redistribution, ensuring more people in need are fed; and

reduce waste of carbon, water and materials across the supply chain

Between 2010 – 2015 alone, WRAP initiatives:

Reduced greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 50 million tonnes, which is equivalent to the annual carbon emissions of Portugal;

Reduced waste by 4 million tonnes

Diverted 29 million tonnes of waste from landfill; and

Reduced water consumption by 856 million cubic litres

WRAP’s mission is to accelerate the move to a sustainable resource-efficient economy through: